Maximum speed indicator



July 25, 1939. G THOMAS 2,167,092

MAXIMUM SPEED INDICATOR Inventor .4 iiorneys July 25, 1939. I G, H;T'HOM S 2,167,092 I MAXIMUM SPEED INDI CATOR Filed May 11, 19s? 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z2 Z5 INSULAHONJZ 40 ELT & 46 lnver ztor 6eor qe 19 7 60211026 Attorneys Patented July 25, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention appertains to new and useful improvements in means whereby a driver is warned of the speed limit exceeding rate of travel of the car he is driving.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an indicator for use in conjunction with speedometers whereby when a certain predetermined speed limit is exceeded an alarm will be given.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an alarm operative when a driver drives his car at such a speed to exceed a predetermined speed limit wherein means at the same time will be operative to out off the ignition of his engine.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an alarm and ignition cut-off means for motor vehicles which involves a switch which can be set at any desired speed limit so that when the speed of the vehicle exceeds this limit the switch will close an alarm circuit and at the same time break the ignition circuit to the engine.

Various other important objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following specification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a side elevational view of the structure with parts broken away.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of a standard speedometer with the hand equipped with a contact.

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the attachment.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view disclosing the electrical connection between the electrical devices involved.

Figure 5 is a perspective View of the speed limit indicating sign.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen that numeral 5 generally refers to a standard type of speedometer which includes the usual speed indicating hand 6 which in the present case is provided with the contact member l.

The attachment consists of the plate or panel 8 connected to the case of the speedometer 5 by tie bolts 9 passing through spacing tubes It.

A plate I l is supported at the inner side of the panel 8 by suitable struts l2 and extending through the panel 8 and the plate I l is a shaft l3 which at its outer end is provided with the knob 14 having a pointer l5 cooperative with the 55 M. P. H. markings IS on the face of the panel 8.

On the back side of the plate II, that is on the side opposed to the speedometer 5 is the semiannular conductor strip I! having a binding post l8 at one end and also the arcuate contactor strip l9 having the binding post 28 at one end. 5

Arranged on the plate I! of insulation are the contacts 2|, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 21 and 28 connected by a corresponding conductor tothe lamps 29 to 37, inclusive, located in corresponding compartments of the lamp box 38. The front of 10 this lamp box for each of the compartments is marked with a M. P. H. rate 39.

As is shown in Figure 4, the shaft l3 carries the insulation arm from which extends the spring contact brush 4! which, in turn, has the 15 bridge piece 42 secured at its outer end and this is capable of simultaneously bridging the conductor strip I! and any one of the contacts 2| to 28, inclusive, or the contact strip I7 and strip I9. The strip IS in conjunction with the strip ll 20 bridged by the bridge piece 42 will cause the end lamp 31 to be energized to indicate that the driver is driving his machine over M. P. H.

As shown in Figure 4, numeral 43 denotes a battery from which the lead 44 extends. This 25 lead extends by way of the branch wire 45 to the coil 46 of the relay generally referred to by numeral 41. This relay includes the armature 48 which is connected by the branch wire 41 to the lead 44. The lead also extends to the binding post I8 of the contact strip IT. The armature 48 is operative between the contacts 49--56, the contact 49 being connected to the ignition system of the motor while the contact 50 extends to the electric alarm 5|. 35

Now for example suppose the driver has set the brush 4| to bridge the contact 25 with the strip ll. Current will flow from the battery 43 by way of the branch wire 41 to the ignition circuit and also to the conductor strip ll. 40

Should the speed of the vehicle exceed this rating, (35 M. P. H.) the contact I on the speedometer hand 6 will engage the contact 52 which is electrically connected with the brush 4! so that the relay coil 46 is grounded and attracts the armature 48, causing the armature 48 to engage the contact 50 sounding the alarm 5| and at the same time breaking the ignition circuit.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter. 55

- having a lug disposed in the path of the speedometer indicating hand and means for detachably connecting the panel to the speedometer case, the forward end of the shaft being provided with a knob for rotating the shaft and setting the lug carrying arm and a pointer carried by the knob, the front side of the panel being provided with graduations in miles per hour with which the pointer cooperates.

GEORGE H. THOMAS. 

